Dear Parents & Community

We come to the end of a different kind of school year. On behalf of the staff of Ivanhoe Primary School I thank you for your involvement, your patience, your enthusiasm and your support over 2020.

This year has been unlike any other. Hopefully it will be the last time we experience enforced remote learning and the related lockdowns. This period has placed a great deal of stress on parents, teachers and students alike. However, I have been pleasantly surprised that nearly all of our students and their families have rebounded very strongly and have displayed resilience, humour and engagement on their return to school.

I’m hoping for a much brighter 2021. There are some aspects of this year that have been very positive. The teachers, students and parents have all become experts with using Teams, WebEx and other digital learning technologies. Parents have a much better idea of the patience and skills required of teachers and most were able to see how their children learnt new concepts and skills through the remote learning environment.

If you were to look back over previous editions of "Inside Ivanhoe", I think you would be astounded by the number of educational opportunities that have presented themselves both on-line and off.

I wish you a peaceful festive season with family and friends and look forward to 2021 with excitement and curiosity.

There are Curriculum Days on the 27th and 28th of January, Years 1 to 6 begin school on Friday the 29th of January and Foundation Classes begin on Monday the 1st of February.

OSHC will operate on these days if there are enough bookings so book now.

Changes that affect the operation of the school will be communicated to you in the week beginning the 25th of January. My understanding is that we begin the school year on the basis of the current Operations Guide, and that there will not be a new version of the Operations Guide before the start of Term 1 unless there are changes to public health advice that affect operations. Regardless, I will send out information guiding the return to school in the week beginning 25th of January.

International Day 2020

As we come to the end of this extra ordinary year, how wonderful it was to be able to celebrate as a whole school all of our different cultures and backgrounds on International Day.

IPS Big Hug

Thank you so much everyone! With your extreme generosity, we have been able to help many families across the Ivanhoe community. The amount and quality of donations were beyond anyone’s expectations.

Due to this huge holiday giving of hugs, we had enough for a Holiday Hamper to be raffled off to a school family!! Look out – it could be you!

You do not need to do anything to be in it.

We are able to generate a random family name for our administration package. If your family is the lucky recipient, you will be contacted later today or tomorrow so you can pick up the hamper. Good Luck!. Thank you to all involved!

Such a heart-warming gift from our IPS community to those who need a boost! See you all in 2021.

Graduating students

It has been a rewarding experience watching you reach the end of your primary schooling. In 2021 you will commence the next educational chapter of your lives, one which will be challenging however very rewarding. Learn to know yourself and your capabilities. Nothing is impossible if you direct your thoughts and actions in the right direction.

Focus on being your best self.

Thank you for what you have done for your school. Always remember you were a student at Ivanhoe Primary School. It is your school. Be proud of your time here. You will always be welcome to visit us. We are very proud of what you have achieved this year.

All the staff of IPS wish you every success.

ICAS

Congratulation to all students who participated in ICAS this year. Once again IPS had a strong field of participants. It was my pleasure to present the distinction and high distinction certificates to a great many students for their efforts in English, Mathematics, Science and Digital Technologies. Here are just a few of those presentations.

Banking

Today's presentation for those children who banked the most times this year entitled each to a certificate and the choice of a number of banking prizes. Well done to Lola, Hadi, Dania and Anton. Thank you to our banking coordinator of many years, Carmel W for making a special trip to present the awards.

Last Day of Term

The last day of Term is Friday the 18th and the students will be dismissed at 1.30pm.

Should you require the services of OSHC you are reminded to book early. Due to the obvious issues around congestion and social distancing, parents are asked to wear a mask and stay no longer that 15 minutes (otherwise you will need to sign in).

If your child is continuing their education at Ivanhoe Primary School in 2021 then today they met their new teacher, saw their new classroom and met their new classmates. Mrs Wright or I visited every class and everyone was getting to know each other.

The near completion of the new senior school (The Beehive) and some teacher movement has necessitated the moving of some resources and furniture. Thank you Mr Bull for organising this.

Transition activities enable students to become acquainted with the new environment, classmates and teacher. Please encourage your child to see the change as a positive and exciting experience. One to look forward to and be excited about. Reassure them that it is okay to miss their current teacher and classroom but that it is a normal part of schooling. 2021 will be a great year for everyone.

The final assembly, preceding dismissal will be held on the oval. "Silly string" will have to wait until the graduating Year 6 students have sung their song. For reasons related to COVID safe practices including social distancing only Year 6 parents can be on the Oval for the final hurrah. Please be respectful of this request. Year 6 parents are to enter and exit from the double gates between OSHC and the Hall.

All other students (with the exception of siblings) will be dismissed from their current gates. Parents should wait near their gate and observe social distance rules. With a few days to go it would be awful for someone to become ill.

Students in year levels other than Year 6 will be escorted to their gate and dismissed at the conclusion of this brief ceremony by their teachers.

Finally

Next year will of course present new challenges, but we will be able to commence the year with a real sense of optimism and clear purpose based on the new resources available to support us and the new ways of working and collaborating we discovered this year.

For now, I encourage you all to rest, recharge, and enjoy some time with family and friends. We have all well and truly earned it.

Mark Kent

Principal

Virtual Chess Champs

Well done everyone.